Final stage of Nevada City Tribute Trail gets funds, to begin immediately

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The final stage of the Tribute Trail project, which includes building a new bridge across Deer Creek and the implementation of more trail to connect the bridge to the existing trail system, is scheduled to begin immediately thanks to finalization of contracts with the California Natural Resources Agency, the lead agency of the trail project announced Thursday.

In announcing the beginning of the third phase, the Sierra Fund also revealed that a second grant, for $739,111, will allow for the assessment and acquisition of land on the border of Nevada City to be given to the city. This parcel, currently owned by the Gallelli family, has long been on the city’s wish list for acquisition and development into a park. The property includes a flat and accessible beach on Deer Creek.

“Our family was happy to provide public trail easements along our Deer Creek property for the Tribute Trail system” Gary Gallelli Jr. said in a statement. “We have enjoyed working with The Sierra Fund, American Rivers, Nevada City and many others in the community to expand the original trail effort to include the conservation of the property along Deer Creek for public use.”

The $563,000 grant for building the Nisenan Tribute Bridge across Deer Creek will link two sides of a neighborhood now divided by a creek, completing a loop trail that will bring new opportunities for public recreation on public land. If all goes according to plan, the project would be completed by May 2014.

“We want to share our plans and dreams for these projects with the community,” said Elizabeth “Izzy” Martin, CEO of The Sierra Fund, in a statement. “These projects will extend and complement the work to build trails, celebrate the people who helped build our town and improve forest health around our small town.”

The Tribute Trail snakes west out of downtown Nevada City along Deer Creek into county territory and through public property. When it is finished, hikers will have access to a 9-mile loop through 40 acres on both sides of the creek from downtown Nevada City to the Seven Hills Business District and schools.

The $2.1 million trail project was created with funding from the California Natural Resources Agency and the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to address fire safety improvements, from brushing large areas of the creek canyon and replanting with less dangerous drought tolerant vegetation.

The project has brought together an assortment of community partners including Sierra Streams Institute, The Sierra Fund, American Rivers, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Nevada County, Nevada City, the Nisenan Tribe, the Tsi-Akim Maidu, the Bureau of Land Management, Greater Champion Neighborhood Association, the Chinese Quarter Society and Save Our Historic Canals. The Sierra Fund will address the Nevada City Council on the grants and the projects at the government agency’s April 24 meeting.